"Following this morning's (Wednesday's) autopsy conducted by the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office, the death of Bonnie Sue Burns has officially been ruled a homicide," Davidson wrote in an email.

Davidson said the cause of death is not being released because the investigation is ongoing.

Burns was found dead inside her 2001 Ford Escort when a concerned friend, who was expecting Burns at her home, went looking for her, Davidson said. The friend called authorities about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday after finding Burns in her car in the Daytona Park Estates subdivision, northeast of DeLand.

According to an incident report, the car was found in the 1200 block of Eighth Avenue. Members of Volusia County Fire Services pronounced Burns dead at the scene.

Ken Morrell, 83, said Burns, who lived with him and worked as his caretaker, was a "very kind individual."

"She was a person who kept things to herself most of the time,” Morrell said while sitting on the front porch of his home. “I can't get over this.”

Morrell said when he found out the death of his caretaker and friend of a few years was being called a homicide, he “just couldn't believe it.”

She had recently decorated the front of the home with some Christmas lights and silver tinsel with candy canes, he said.

“She didn't have but a few friends she went out with,” Morrell said. “I don't know of anybody in particular she was having problems with.”

Morrell said Burns was good to and close with her family. She had cared for her mother before she died from lung cancer earlier this year.

“I think that took its toll on her,” Morrell said.

He said he thinks the stress of taking care of and losing her mother might have caused Burns some medical issues.

Morrell said Burns would black out on occasion, but doctors had not figured out what the problem was, though she was on a lot of medications.

<p>A woman found dead inside a car near DeLand early Tuesday was slain, a Volusia County sheriff's spokesman said Wednesday afternoon.</p><p>Bonnie Sue Burns, 42, of DeLand is the victim of a homicide, sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.</p><p>"Following this morning's (Wednesday's) autopsy conducted by the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office, the death of Bonnie Sue Burns has officially been ruled a homicide," Davidson wrote in an email. </p><p>Davidson said the cause of death is not being released because the investigation is ongoing.</p><p>Burns was found dead inside her 2001 Ford Escort when a concerned friend, who was expecting Burns at her home, went looking for her, Davidson said. The friend called authorities about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday after finding Burns in her car in the Daytona Park Estates subdivision, northeast of DeLand.</p><p>According to an incident report, the car was found in the 1200 block of Eighth Avenue. Members of Volusia County Fire Services pronounced Burns dead at the scene.</p><p>Ken Morrell, 83, said Burns, who lived with him and worked as his caretaker, was a "very kind individual."</p><p>"She was a person who kept things to herself most of the time,” Morrell said while sitting on the front porch of his home. “I can't get over this.”</p><p>Morrell said when he found out the death of his caretaker and friend of a few years was being called a homicide, he “just couldn't believe it.” </p><p>She had recently decorated the front of the home with some Christmas lights and silver tinsel with candy canes, he said.</p><p>“She didn't have but a few friends she went out with,” Morrell said. “I don't know of anybody in particular she was having problems with.”</p><p>Morrell said Burns was good to and close with her family. She had cared for her mother before she died from lung cancer earlier this year.</p><p>“I think that took its toll on her,” Morrell said.</p><p>He said he thinks the stress of taking care of and losing her mother might have caused Burns some medical issues.</p><p>Morrell said Burns would black out on occasion, but doctors had not figured out what the problem was, though she was on a lot of medications.</p>